Archive for the 'World War II 1942-1945' Category

WW II INDEX

TacomaDave May 13th, 2008

Contained here is a listing of all the stories in the WW II section (currently near 90) and all the map listings, in chronological order from the mechanization of the 2d Cavalry Regiment to the end of WW II. Just click on a link to view the entire story.

The reader is cautioned that these stories are told in the words of the men who experienced them and may contain graphic descriptions or objectionable terms. No attempt has been made to “smooth the edges” or “soften the story” for the viewing public. In the same aspect, no attempt has been made to cover up the names of the men who fought and died, nor the circumstances that brought about their final acts. It is the task of the Cavalry to take the fight to the enemy and disrupt his ability to function – a task that we perform quite well. Family members seeking information about a loved one may find more than they had hoped for.

THE NEW CAVALRY GOES TO WAR

NORMANDY CAMPAIGN

Continue Reading »

Old 2nd Cav Trooper’s Remembrance

David.Gettman May 13th, 2008

A WW2 Remembrance of an Old 2nd US Cav Trooper, 1941-1945, A Personal Account

I was “asked” to join the US Army in Jan of 1941. Got an extension until July of ’41 as I had some wheat out. I was inducted at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. and then sent to Ft. Riley, to serve with the 2nd Cav.

Was in several troops along the way and finally ended up in Machine Gun Troop. And for those of you who didn’t have horses in the Cav, we did and they got treated better than we did. But we did love those horses. Shortly after Dec 7, 1941 we boarded a train with the horses to guard the border in Arizona. And this was quite an experience. Finally during the spring of 1942 we were told we were going back to Fort Riley…only we didn’t take the horses with us. Got back to Ft. Riley and found that all the horse barns had been turned into tank barns.

From then on I became a member of the 9th Arm’d Div., 2nd Tank Bn, Co D. [editors note: the 2nd Cavalry Regiment was deactivated at this time and the men and equipment used to form 2nd Tank Battalion] We trained a set of rookies that were shipped off and then got a 2nd set of them which we kept. We went to the Desert Maneuvers and from there to the maneuvers at then Camp Polk, LA. Got to go to a parade in New Orleans with the tanks and that was something for a farm boy from Kansas. From Camp Polk we went to NJ where we left for Scotland on the Queen Mary. From Scotland we went to England where we drew new equipment and waited for our turn to land on the beach. After working our way through the hedge rows we went through Paris with our tanks. My youngest brother was killed in Oct of 1944 only a few miles from where I was but it took almost a month for me to find out. I had 5 brothers and 3 sisters and 4 of my brothers plus me were all in the service, 1 in the Pacific, one in Australia (who went in the service the same day I did and after being inducted at Ft. Leavenworth we didn’t see each other again for almost 5 years), 1 in Africa and Italy and the youngest brother John and I in Europe. In Dec. of 1944 we were ordered to the area around Bastogne.samboese

Our light tanks were ordered to guard a road crossing and not to leave the area for any reason. When the big Tiger Royals started in on us it was something else. You could read a newspaper all night long with the firepower around you.

Finally about the 18th of Dec. we ditched our tank and threw a grenade in it and took off on foot with nothing with us as we were out of shells of any kind and no food. It took almost 2 weeks for the Germans to catch us but they finally did. We have snow and cold but nothing like they had in the Bulge. I have never been that cold since and never want to be. I am the only one left out of my tank – the other 3 did come back after being POW’s but they have all since died. I was on a forced march across Germany for most of the 149 days I was captured but finally did end up at Stalag IVB – there’s lots on the web about this POW camp and some pictures. I weighed about 185 pounds when I was captured and when liberated I weighed less than 90 pounds. I never saw a Red Cross pkg. and the best meal I had was cooked by some women who gave up their meal for us in a factory of female prisoners. It was barley and water and some awful looking bread but it was the best food I’d had in a long time. I am now almost 85 years old and have had some major medical problems this year but doc says I can still kick butt so guess I’m doing fine.

Sam Boese

[Editors note: Since writing this article Sam has ridden on to Fiddler's Green.]

2d Cavalry Group (Mecz) in WW II

David.Gettman March 31st, 2008

WWIIThe invasion of Poland by the blitzing German panzers in 1939 accelerated the movement to mechanize American forces and led to the first extensive mechanized maneuvers in 1940. By 1941, the Second Calvary was participating in similar large-scale maneuvers in Louisiana. The headquarters for the Louisiana Maneuvers were in the Bentley Hotel in Alexandria, Louisiana. In January 1942, the Second Cavalry served a period on border duty at Tucson, Arizona.

Since the emphasis in the Army was shifting to armor, the Regiment, still a horse outfit, returned to Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kansas, for refitting. It was there on 15 May 1942 that it was redesignated and refitted to form the Second Armored Regiment of the Ninth Armored Division. It was this outfit that spawned specific armored units composed initially of men and equipment from the Second Cavalry. These units, the Second Tank Battalion, the 19th Tank Battalion and the 776th Tank Battalion, would distinguish themselves in combat through the European and Pacific Theaters of Operation.

In June 1943, the Regiment was renamed the Second Cavalry Group, Mechanized. Colonel Charles Hancock Reed became the 31st Colonel of the Regiment. In December the Regiment was again reorganized, its elements being Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Second Cavalry Group, Mechanized, and the Second and 42nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons, Mechanized.hq3

Elements of the Regiment landed in Normandy in July 1944 and immediately distinguished themselves as part of General Patton’s Third Army. The Regiment performed such daring reconnaissance missions that it became known to the German High Command as the “Ghosts of Patton’s Army”, seemingly materializing at different points behind the German lines. Continue Reading »

Vito’s Story

David.Gettman March 29th, 2008

WWIILETTER FROM SERGEANT VITO SPADAFINO, TROOP A, 42ND SQUADRON, 2ND CAVALRY REGIMENT

I’m a WW2 veteran formerly with the 2nd Cavalry Recon and Mechanized unit of the 3rd Army in the European Theater. My unit was responsible for re-capturing the [Lipizzan] Stallions and numerous other horses prior to the end of hostilities somewhere [Hostau] in Czechoslovakia. The Stallions were turned over to The Spanish Riding Academy and the mares in foal and other breeds were shipped to a huge estate somewhere in the American zone.

My platoon and I were responsible for the protection and care of these precious animals. I have some photos of the great, great, grandmothers of some of today’s offspring. Two German veterinarians and the grooms and family that we brought back with the animals tended to them.

We were also keeping watch on all the horses in different parts of the estate. Our main concern was the Russians who were on the other side of the hedges that separated our sector from theirs. We had constant patrols around our perimeter because of them. I was fortunate enough to be able to assist the Polish cook in the kitchen who provided us with delicious meals. We had two German Vets who cared for the horses and also bred some of them. The Lipizzaner mares were in separate corrals of their own.

vitospadafinowwiiI have one amusing anecdote to tell you. One day Unit Commander Colonel Reed came to visit to see how things were going along. He and I walked down to see the Lipizzaner mares. While we observed them, I turned to the Colonel and said, “They look like they are pregnant.” Colonel Reed looks at me and says, “Sergeant, where do you come from?” I replied, “The Bronx, sir.” Well the Colonel says, “Where I come from we say they are in foal,” as he smiled. After a while my buddies got me on a horse to teach me to ride. I learned pretty fast and the grooms picked out a nice even gaited one and every once in a while I would go out riding after dinner with one of the platoon members. Strangely enough that was the last time I was on a horse. Soon I was ready to return to the USA to be discharged into civilian life. Continue Reading »

Reactivation Ceremony Newspaper article

David.Gettman March 28th, 2008

9-reactivationReactivation ceremony for the Second Cavalry Regiment, 15 January 1943. The article from Columbia, SC’s ‘The State’ newspaper reads:

SECOND CAVALRY REACTIVATED AT FORT JACKSON CEREMONIES

Outfit Welcomed By General Simpson Here Yesterday

The name of the Second Cavalry returned to the rolls of the United States Army yesterday morning, when the organization was reactivated at Fort Jackson.

The unit is the proud owner of one of the most glorious histories of any component of the nations military organizations.

Brig. Gen. Boyden E. Beebe, Post Commander of Fort Jackson, arrived shortly before the ceremonies began to welcome the new organization to the post. General Beebe then took his place in the reviewing stand with the Staff of the Regiment to await the arrival of Major General William H. Simpson, Commanding General of the XII Corps, to which the new Second Cavalry was to be attached.

With the arrival of General Simpson at 10:30, the brief but impressive ceremonies got under way. Lieut. Col. Charles H. Reed, Commanding Officer of the new unit, met General Simpson and escorted him to his place in the reviewing stand, and the band sounded “General’s Call”.

Maj. Thomas B. Hargis, Jr., Regimental Adjutant, then read General Orders No. 1, that officially created the new organization. Lieutenant Colonel Reed accepted command of the Regiment, and said that in accepting the name of the organization, they also accepted the responsibility that went with it.

Lieutenant Colonel Reed stressed the two responsibilities that came with the new Second Cavalry. First, the responsibility for living up to the Regimental motto, “Always Ready”; and second, the responsibility for adding to the 29 battle streamers already flying from the Regimental Colors. Said Lieutenant Colonel Reed, “we must not wait for combat, we must seek it. We will be as the old Second in battle – Second To None.”

SIMPSON WELCOMES

Maj. Gen. William H. Simpson, XII Corps Commander, then welcomed the new unit to the Corps. He told them that they were fortunate to be entrusted with the destinies of a Regiment that acquired so many honors and built up such a fine body of tradition during its long career. He stressed the fact that this could only be accomplished by hard and determined effort on the part of everyone in the Regiment, from the lowest basic right up to the commanding officer.

“Our enemies are the toughest and most relentless in the world. And to win we have to train ourselves in mind, body and soul, so that regardless of rain, cold, heat, sand, snow or mud, we are so well trained that the full force of the Regiment can always be thrown against the enemy. There are certain fundamentals I would like to have you bear in mind. These fundamentals are essential, and without them no organization…..[the article is torn off there.]

The caption on the picture reads:
Pictured above in the reviewing stand at the reactivation ceremony of the Second Cavalry at Fort Jackson yesterday morning, are (from left to right): Front row, Maj. Gen. William H. Simpson, XII Corps Commander at Fort Jackson; Brig. Gen. Royden E. Beebe, Post Commander at Fort Jackson; Col. Edward M. Fickett, Commander of the Sixth Cavalry; and Lieut. Col. Charles H. Reed, Commanding Officer of the new Second Cavalry. In the second row are, Maj. Benjamin F. Stahl, Regimental Operations Officer; Maj. James H. Pitman, Regimental Supply Officer; Maj. Thomas B. Hargis, Jr., Regimental Adjutant; and Maj. Stephen W. Benkosky, Regimental Executive Officer. On the right is pictured the color guard of the Second Cavalry holding the national colors and the brilliant, yellow and brown Regimental colors as the Regiment saluted them for the first time. The cluster of ribbons at the top of [the] Regimental colors represent the 29 major engagements in which the unit has participated during its 106 year history.

Reactivation

David.Gettman March 27th, 2008

Click photos to enlarge
The War Department reached the decision on December 18, 1942 to reactivate two regiments of cavalry, the Second and Twenty-Ninth, as mechanized units. A TWX from War Department through Army Ground Forces, Birmingham, Alabama, reached (then Lt. Col.) Charles H. Reed at the 42d Armored Regiment of the 11th Armored Division where he was assigned as Executive Officer. It designated him as Regimental Commander of the 2d Cavalry Regiment, Mechanized, being reactivated at Fort Jackson, S.C.

At the same time orders were received at Headquarters Fort Riley, Kansas, directing that Headquarters furnish the regimental staff.

The original staff as selected by Headquarters Fort Riley carried Major S.W. Benkosky, as Regimental Executive and included Capt. T.B. Hargis, Jr., formerly of the 15th Cavalry Regiment, as Regimental Adjutant, Capt. Shelby Greene, formerly of the 4th Cavalry Regiment, as Intelligence Officer, Major Benjamin Stahl, of the Fort Riley Motors Department, as Operations Officer, Capt. James H. Pitman, formerly of the 15th Cavalry Regiment as Supply Officer, and Capt. Allan C. Peck, of the Fort Riley Motors Department as Regimental Motors Officer. 1st Lt. John S. Higgins was appointed Communications Officer, and Capt. Lowry as Regimental Surgeon. Major W.J. Easton and Major W.A. Hill, from the CRTC were later designated as Squadron Commanders.

Major Benkosky was the first arrival at Fort Jackson, S.C., the new station of the Second Cavalry, reporting there on 2 January 1943. Lt. Col. Reed arrived on the following day, and arrangements were made with the Station Commander for the assignment of a portion of North Camp, in the area with temporary wood barracks, for the housing of the regiment.

Regimental headquarters were set up temporarily in one of the barracks for the reception of the incoming staff officers, and arrangements for mess were made with a nearby unit of the station complement, since the cooks were in the enlisted cadre which had not yet reported for duty. Continue Reading »

Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E), 2d and 42d Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalions

TacomaDave March 27th, 2008

Len Dyer, former curator at the 2d Cavalry’s Reed Museum, provided the following information:

2d Cavalry Group (Mechanized) operated under the Sept 1943 Table of Organization T/O 2-25 for the 2d & 42d Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalions. There were 44 officers, 3 warrant officers & 949 enlisted per battalion. Within the battalions there were 7 companies often referred to as cavalry troops (but officially as companies): HQ Company, recon companies – A, B, C, & D, assault gun company – E, & light tank company – F. Continue Reading »

England

David.Gettman March 26th, 2008

16-englandOn March 9, 1944, a letter was received from the War Department stating in effect that the entire 2d Cavalry Group (Mecz) was to prepare for foreign duty and was to move to New York or Boston port of embarkation at a time to be determined by the appropriate Port Commander for further movement by water transportation. The preparations to be made, the requirements to be met, the date to be ready and the shipment number assigned for the advance and main parties were specified in this same letter. From that day on the entire effort of the Group was devoted towards preparing for overseas movement. Officers, warrant officers, and enlisted men were transferred and acquired until the Group reached its T/O strength on March 31, 1944.

Officers and enlisted men alike fired the T/O weapons of the respective troops. Each man not previously qualified on his own personal weapon was afforded an opportunity to fire once again. All personnel were required to fire for familiarization the supporting weapons of the rest of their troop. Dental repair work was accorded a high priority. Personal clothing and equipment were checked and rechecked to meet specified requirements. Training was necessarily cut to a minimum except in the field of physical conditioning. All officers and men were required to participate in two nine mile hikes, and in two four mile fast road marches which were scheduled each week.

Advance detachments from Group Headquarters, Hq 2d Cav Rcn Sq and Hq 42d Cav Rcn Sq were organized and were prepared to move to the designated port of embarkation on the call of the Port Commander on 11 March 1944 or any date thereafter, their mission being to act as the coordinating agency at the overseas destination for supply and personnel matters prior to the arrival of their respective units. The advance detachments, comprising Lt. Col. Stephan W. Benkosky, Major William H. Young, and 1st Lt. Thomas M. Stewart, Corporal John W. Gore, and Corporal Harold A. Amundsen for Group Headquarters, 1st Lt. Richard J. Boyer, 1st Lt. George H. Orcutt, and Sergeant George J. Ford for the 2d Squadron, and Captain Maurice J. Shroyer, 2d Lt. Hermann A. Rothenbach and Sergeant William A. Flannagan for the 42d Squadron left Fort Jackson, S.C. on 18 March 1944 for Fort Hamilton, N.Y. port of embarkation. Continue Reading »

A General Talks To His Army

David.Gettman March 25th, 2008

by Sgt. Tom M. Griffin, H&S Troop, 42d Squadron

17 May, 1944

The big Camp at Bewdley (map CB) buzzed with tension. For the hundreds of eager ETO rookies, newly arrived from the States, it was a great day in their lives. This day marked their first taste of “the real thing”, for now they were not puppets in O.D. going through the motions of soldiering, with 3000 miles of water between them and English soil, but actually in the heart of Britain itself, awaiting the coming of that legendary figure, Lt. General George S. Patton Jr., “Old Blood and Guts” himself, about whom many a colorful chapter will be written for the school boys of tomorrow. Patton, of the brisk, purposeful stride, the harsh, compelling voice, the lurid vocabulary, the grim indomitable spirit that carried him and his Army to glory in Africa and Sicily, “America’s fightin’est General” they called him. He was not a “Desk Commando”, but the man who was sent for when the going got rough and a fighter was needed. The most hated and feared American of all on the part of the German Army. Patton was coming, and the stage was being set. Continue Reading »

Map Links I

David.Gettman March 24th, 2008

WWIIThis is page 1 (AHN to GURTH) of the map listings. Click on the link next to a name to see that map. Some names may contain multiple links.

Once opened, a map can be clicked on to enlarge it for great detail. May take a minute to enlarge.

A listing of the towns highlighted on the map is below each map.

Ahn (map 33)
Alken (map 36)
Altenhasslau (map 39)
Ancenis (map 16)(map I)
Angers (map 16)(map I)(map II)
Angviller (map 29b)
Arces (map III)
Arcis-s-Aube (map III)
Arrach (map 46)
Arracourt (map 25)(map NS)
Asch (map 42)(map VII) Continue Reading »

Next »